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Monday, May 31, 2010

fifi-fied!

Have you ever wondered what a room in your home would look like if it was styled for a magazine? Well, this dream was recently realized for me when editor Francoise O'Neill (better known as Fifi) visited me with photographer Dan Mayers.

This visit, which was part of Fifi's photo shoot schedule along the East Coast was actually months in the making.

It all began with my contacting Fifi with a story idea back in January.

After months of correspondence, projects and photos, Fifi shared the exciting news that she would be coming to take photos of my home for Cottage Style magazine. I am not shy about telling you that I jumped up and down, after all, I had just blogged about how Cottage Style inspired my bedroom re-do.

Thrilled but nervous I put together a lengthy to-do list of projects to tackle before Fifi's arrival (just days away). Always generous and sweet, Fifi reassured me that I shouldn't be nervous, that we would have fun, that my house was charming, that she's just one of the girls.

Well, I was nervous until Fifi and Dan arrived and then I relaxed because both of them are so down-to-earth and friendly. At times it all felt so surreal. Moments like: Fifi in my car; Fifi at my market; the three of us having lunch at my local Panera. Sometimes I would touch Fifi's arm and say, "Fifi is at my house!"

Dan was also super cool and fun to spend the day with. We chatted about raising kids and 80s punk rock. It was lovely to witness how Dan would just wash the room in light.

How often do you read "punk rock" and "lovely" in the same paragraph?

Years ago I had worked on film shoots in various capacities. How fun it was for me to now be the subject and location. Surreal.

It was a completely amazing experience.

Thank you so much to Dan for photos I just know must be beautiful.

Thank you so very much to Fifi, who is lovely inside and out. She is inspiring, encouraging, generous, dynamic and easy-going!

Can you imagine needing to say the following to Fifi?• Please use the brick to keep the back door closed.• Sorry about the crumbs and toys in the backseat.• Watch your step in the basement.

Well, I had to say 'em all and Fifi did not bat an eye. Now that's fabulous!

Wow how exciting,,,,, I can't wait to get it when it comes out.... Fifi sounds like a wonderful lady.. you have a beautiful home by the way.. if I was lucky enough to have that happen to me,,,,, I would be telling the news papers...lol,,,, enjoy,,, and have a great week.

Oh Elyse, I'm so happy for you! You all look so comfortable together. Your home is adorable, has your signature "tinkered treasures" mark everywhere. And I can't wait for the magazine to come out!Brenda

Congratulations! That is just a thrill! I can't believe what you said to Fifi...that is...what you felt comfortable enough to say. Your house looks so yummy. Honestly, I thought those were their pictures!

That is so wonderful for you! I'm glad to hear she is so down to earth! It takes a special person to make other people feel comfortable around you in that kind of situation. I've been reading your blog for a while and I think you are so talented and I love the colours in your home and art. I hope to finish my home someday as well.

Holy Moly Elyse!!!!!This is so exciting and your post was so fun. Fifi fifi fifi!!!!!!!How dreamy for you.I bet they both had just as much fun as you did.Everything looks so amazing.I want to come to that party!!!!Congrats.

How majorly exciting! I can't wait to see your magazine. I would be pinching myself too! I love your home and I can't to see it all spiffified! (Know that's not a real word but it sure felt appropriate.)

Are you kidding...indulging you? Thanks for the treat of seeing all of these wonderous staging pictures! The first picture of your dining room with the pink lemonade and watermelon on the plates looks like a Janet Hill painting http://janethillstudio.com/blog/I will be anxiously waiting for this issue to come out! Is it published quarterly?I don't recall seeing pictures of your livingroom before. I could be asleep fast on either of your sofas..what a warm and welcoming room, as is the rest of your nest. This was a great post Elyse!xoxoJoyce

CONGRATS! How absolutely wonderful for you and so exciting for us to be able to follow along! Everything looks wonderful, no wonder she wanted to come and photograph your home, you're so clever! I can't wait to see the layout from your home...Elyse, you must be so happy!;-)Joni

Happy dance my friend...I can see why your home just had to be in Fifi's magazine..so amazingly lovely..Please let me know when it come out...I will be running to get a copy. Hugs for a happy week..can it get any better? xoxoxo

OMG!!!!! You own the ROCKSTAR rights, and don't argue!I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!!!How cool to meet Fifi and have her Fifify your home! I bet she is fabulous when you meet her.I've actually been lucky enough to have met Dan - he's so cool and his photography is fantastic. I didn't know we were going to meet up with him in Soho that day - but if I had, I probably would've been super nervous meeting someone as accomplished as him too! You're so right, he's so down to earth. I'm so happy for you Elyse!!! Your gorgeous home deserves to be featured - how about a book?~ xo

Congratulations! This is such an amazing opportunity. I think it would cause me to have a stroke if someone were coming to photograph my house!!! I'd like it to look like a magazine without being in one...unfortunately, it does neither.

Oh, how exciting! I know you can't wait to see your beautiful home show up in the magazine. I'll keep checking back for your announcement of which issue it will be in. I don't want to miss that. Congratulations!

WOW!!!! Elyse I thought your surprise was going to be something like this but did not know it would be that fun! I love that it was styled, when they (RH) did my house it was as is and I thought they were going to style it, I would have done it if I had known.

Your home just looks so inviting and clean, and cheerful, and pretty, and fun, and cute, and I really, really love it!I am so happy for you friend and I can not wait for your issue. I may buy several and hand them out to friends, and say I knew you when.....Kim

Hi ElyseJust popped by to say thank you for your lovely comment on my blog, but I have to confess 'my retreat' is the summer house at the bottom of my garden. A place to escape with a bottle of wine on a warm afternoon (not that we're getting many of those at the moment). In the process of its tidy up I will reveal the inside in a month or so!Jenny x

Hello Tinker~ It was so fun to talk to you last week. I am thrilled by your news! Is that one of the vintage bottles I sent to you in the picture? I love the new picture of you on your blog. It reminds me of Kathleen Kelly! MmmHmm, pearls and all!

"The cat is out of the bag"! A little screaming is going on at my house! I am so excitied for you darling Elyse! Your cottage looks amazing and I cannot wait to see it in print! You worked hard and now you will reap the blessings!

So happy for you and for all the people who will see your so beautiful home in Cottage S. magazine!!!! If I could have access to that magazine I will keep mine forever and would tell all my friends, "see this woman, I know her, she has left me comments on my blog..."Lots of hugs to you, Elyse,Maria Cecilia

Lucky you, Elyse! Or I should say Smart You! You instigated the idea and made it happen. This is what I need to remember. The good things can happen if I take the steps! I can't wait to see 'your' issue!Sherry

Oh my goodness! This is soooooo awesome! Congrats Elyse! I would absolutely die if I was able to work with Fifi in this capacity. Your cottage is lovely and I'm sure the mag spread will be fab. Have a wonderful day :) Don't forget to keep in touch with what issue it will be in. I have you latest mag with your crafties in it.

OMG, OMG Elyse how amazing is this? OMG. Your home looks so lovely, I can only imagine what it is going to look like in that magazine. Your job was a foreshadowing of what was to come into your own life. I love those blue oversized chairs, by the way, and how all those daisies look perfect in your home. I can't wait to get this magazine. I was just looking through old copies last night...looking for inspiration how to create a pretty ad on my etsy.

Well, congratulations Elyse...I have a feeling it's only the beginning of grand things to come!

Oh my goodness this is so exciting.I must admit I've been contacted by various journalists over the last year to have my home featured in home magazines over here in the UK but I've never dared but this looks like a lot of fun.These photos look amazing!Can't wait for the issue to come out for you.loveAlisonx

Swooning and a bit envious, Elyse! Yet, you deserve every bit of fame. Meeting Fifi I understand is lots of fun. Sounds like you were star struck, but soon floated down to earth when they arrived. So happy for you! I definitely will buy "your" issue! Working on more pillows and a cupcake tea towel, but no wood signs in the near future.

Oh, congratulations! I'm so glad you stopped by, and then I stopped by back! I wasn't aware of this magazine. Do hope they carry it in "nowhere" Vermont, but I can always get someone from the real world to send one in! Can't wait to see the special pics from your home.

Oooooh Congrats Elyse!!! Im THRILLED for you!!! Aren't Fifi and Dan the BEST!!! So laid back and fun to work with. It really is a surreal moment when they are in your home. I cant WAIT to see your beautiful home grace the pages!!! YIPPEEE!!!!!!! Big hugs! XOXO,Jenn